1. ‘Desh ke Mentor’ is a new scheme announced by which Indian state?
[A] Gujarat
[B] New Delhi
[C] Punjab
[D] Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [New Delhi]
Notes:
Delhi government’s flagship ‘Desh ke Mentor’ programme aims to support Government school students in their career planning stages.
The Directorate of Education of Delhi Government has issued a Code of conduct for mentors who have signed up for the programme to regulate interactions between them and students assigned to them. Earlier, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights expressed concerns regarding the safety of children.
2. The ‘Unbox Me campaign’, which was launched recently, is associated with which day?
[A] International Transgender Day of Visibility
[B] Zero Discrimination Day
[C] World Humanitarian Day
[D] International Day for People of African Descent
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [International Transgender Day of Visibility]
Notes:
International Transgender Day of Visibility is observed on March 31. The USAID launched an initiative called ‘Unbox Me campaign’, which advocates for the rights of transgender children.
It aims to raise awareness among parents, teachers and the society about gender identity during childhood. The campaign originated in India, where more than 90 per cent of transgender people leave their homes, or sent out, by the age of 15.
3. Which racing driver won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2022?
[A] Max Verstappen
[B] Charles Leclerc
[C] Lewis Hamilton
[D] Sebastien Vettel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Max Verstappen]
Notes:
Belgian-Dutch racing driver Max Verstappen won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2022. Max Verstappen won the intense battle with Charles Leclerc to take his first victory of the season.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez took third and fourth. George Russell finished fifth for Mercedes while ace driver Lewis Hamilton finished at 10th spot.
4. After the addition of Democratic Republic of Congo, how many countries are part of the East African Community (EAC)?
[A] Five
[B] Seven
[C] Ten
[D] Fifteen
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Seven]
Notes:
The Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC is set to be admitted as the seventh member of the East African Community (EAC).
In the Extraordinary Heads of State Summit, DR Congo will be formally received in a virtual session. The DRC will gain access to the two main ports in the region-Mombasa and Dar es Salaam, also gaining trade, political and security cooperation. Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda are the other members.
5. As per data from the Finance Ministry, what is the estimated amount to be borrowed by India in the first half of 2022-23?
[A] Rs 1.45 trillion
[B] Rs 4.45 trillion
[C] Rs 8.45 trillion
[D] Rs 12.45 trillion
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rs 8.45 trillion]
Notes:
The Finance Ministry announced that the Union government is looking to raise Rs 8.45 lakh crore through borrowings in the first half of 2022-23.
The borrowing is set to be made to fund the revenue gap for reviving the economy. Out of the market borrowing of Rs 14.31 lakh crore estimated for the next financial year, Rs 8.45 lakh crore is planned to be borrowed in the first half or April-September period.
6. Which is the largest private sector bank of India by assets, as of 2022?
[A] ICICI Bank
[B] HDFC Bank
[C] Axis Bank
[D] Kotak Mahindra Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [HDFC Bank]
Notes:
HDFC Bank and HDFC Limited recently announced the merger of the two entities. HDFC Bank, India’s largest private sector bank by assets, has a market cap of Rs 8.35 trillion.
HDFC Limited, India’s largest housing finance company with Assets Under Management (AUM) worth Rs 5.26 trillion and a market cap of Rs 4.44 trillion will merge with HDFC Bank. The subsidiary or associates of HDFC Limited will also be transferred to HDFC Bank, after regulatory approvals.
7. Which Ministry launched the ‘International UDAN’ scheme?
[A] Ministry of External Affairs
[B] Ministry of Civil Aviation
[C] Ministry of Home Affairs
[D] Ministry of Tourism
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Civil Aviation]
Notes:
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched International Air Connectivity Scheme (IACS) scheme (International UDAN) to enhance air connectivity from certain States of the country with selected international destinations.
The State Government of Assam, Manipur and Tripura have identified routes connecting Guwahati, Imphal and Agartala with selected international destinations.
8. As of 2022, which country is the world’s biggest opium producer?
[A] China
[B] India
[C] Afghanistan
[D] Nepal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Afghanistan]
Notes:
Afghanistan is the the world’s biggest opium producer, at present. Recently, the Taliban announced a ban on the cultivation of poppy in Afghanistan.
The production, use or transportation of other narcotics was also banned. As per the United Nations estimates, Afghanistan’s opium production was worth USD 1.4 billion in 2017. It has been continuously increasing in recent months.
9. Which Indian company has partnered with Canada’s largest payment organisation- ‘Payments Canada’?
[A] Infosys
[B] Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
[C] Wipro
[D] NPCI
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)]
Notes:
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has entered into a partnership with Canada’s largest payment organisation, Payments Canada.
The partnership aims to transform its payment system operations and help in the implementation of the Real-Time Rail (RTR). RTR is a new real-time payments system that will allow Canadian users to initiate payments and receive funds in seconds at any point of the day.
10. Which state government formed a panel to frame the ‘State Education Policy’?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Odisha
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
The Tamil Nadu government recently formed a 13-member panel to frame the state education policy.
The panel is headed by Delhi High Court retired Chief Justice D Murugesan and the panel members include education experts, writer S Ramakrishnan, former chess world champion Viswanathan Anand and Carnatic musician T M Krishna, among others.